Best Time to Tack

[Norfolk nChance]

Is there a guide out there on tacking, or sailing longer distances. Not turning as such. Optimal strategies? 

[Ned Low]

Watch your speed under compass and angle 'with the wind' when it starts moving , at the same time try to keep it nice and optimal. Remember your heading first, then follow wind direction (wind at your back) and always try to follow it as it moves (counter clockwise) and at the same time keep your final destination direction close. Once your ship reaches close haul and you start loosing speed, flip through and readjust your heading to your final destination. 

P3 in your case (less turning)

Edited June 7, 2017 by Ned Low

[Liq]

I usually do it when 30-45° from into the wind

dunno if its most effective, just a matter of habbit

[OneEyedSnake]

when my sails are parallel to the wind I tack, it is at that moment the wind stops propelling you forward, and instead in reverse, I do this to maintain enough speed to increase the effectiveness of my rudder through the turn as well as my sails. 

[DeRuyter]

One point to keep in mind is that the starboard tack will always be favored because of the wind rotation. You can also watch your sails and when the square sails go flat and start to shiver, then it is time to tack.

Edit: This is sailing on the OW.

 

Edited June 7, 2017 by DeRuyter

[Remus]

36 minutes ago, DeRuyter said:

One point to keep in mind is that the starboard tack will always be favored because of the wind rotation. You can also watch your sails and when the square sails go flat and start to shiver, then it is time to tack.

Edit: This is sailing on the OW.

 

Usually I sail on port tack and follow the wind round, slowly sterring to port at whatever wind angle provides the jump from 10 or so knots to 18 or so knots (ymmv) if I can manage it, but sometimes I sit at the 0 to 10 jump, particulalrly on short journeys..

If I'm sailing off the wind and it catches up with me, I'll probably keep at the same angle as above but on startboard tack, steering slowly to port till my destination is dead upwind then I'll tack to the same angle on port and continue to follow the wind round till I'm back on course.

But often I'm AFK and just let the ship do its own thing

Edited June 7, 2017 by Remus

[seanjo]

Note to self...keep an eye out for Remus when away from land...

 

Edited June 8, 2017 by seanjo

[Norfolk nChance]

thanks for the feedback guys, very helpful

 

Norfolk